MISSOULA – The Missoula City and County Department of Health (MCCHD) will recommend that most COVID-19 mitigation “requirements” be changed to “recommendations”. In other words, the health department is easing some of the restrictions.
County health officials point out that since new cases have remained relatively low and vaccine appointments are already open to county residents 16 and older, now is the time to set aside the requirements. Next Thursday, MCCHD will propose to the Health Board that the most current requirements for companies, bars, restaurants, hairdressers, gyms and other “entities” be moved to recommendations.
MCCHD proposes that the facial coverage requirement be maintained except for two changes. The trigger for the need for face masks at outdoor events and meetings would increase from 25 to 50 people. And, once 60% of Missoula residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine, the health officer must change the facial coverage requirements to the recommendations as of May 11th.
MTN News
Health administrators stress that the struggle continues. They report that there is a trend toward continued transmission among residents aged 20 to 39, the age group with the lowest vaccination rate in the county.
There have been 8,876 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Missoula County, including 8,650 recoveries and 92 deaths. The Montana COVID-19 follow-up map shows that 83,367 vaccine doses have been administered and 32,807 county residents are fully immunized.
To view, listen to, or participate in the next Health Council meeting, see the details below:
- TIME: April 15, 12:15 to 3:00 p.m.
- LINK TO THE MICROSOFT TEAM MEETING: Click here
- CALL NUMBER: +1 406-272-4824, CONFERENCE ID: 542 292 855 #
- ATTENTION: Public comments on these proposed rule changes will be accepted through the residents ’feedback portal located on the home page of www.missoulainfo.com. Public comments will also be accepted during the meeting, but comments made during the meeting will be subject to a time limit.